Team for the Summer

[Numbers]

Another fine game for Morris. An inexplicably poor one from Owen Williams, luckily not enough to lose us the game. Class from Giles. Unfortunately Nagy got about 4 minutes of game time. What difference will all this make to the summer squad . . . ? Not much, I expect.

Quick question for you, who would you replace with Morgan Morris in the current squad?

[Son of Mathonwy]

Another fine game for Morris. An inexplicably poor one from Owen Williams, luckily not enough to lose us the game. Class from Giles. Unfortunately Nagy got about 4 minutes of game time. What difference will all this make to the summer squad . . . ? Not much, I expect.

Quick question for you, who would you replace with Morgan Morris in the current squad?

Definitely Basham.

[Numbers]

Another fine game for Morris. An inexplicably poor one from Owen Williams, luckily not enough to lose us the game. Class from Giles. Unfortunately Nagy got about 4 minutes of game time. What difference will all this make to the summer squad . . . ? Not much, I expect.

Quick question for you, who would you replace with Morgan Morris in the current squad?

Definitely Basham.

Fair shout, I suppose it'll be a bit more competitive with Plumtree, Faletau and Christ back from injury, it's sad that Rhys Davies is injured again I think he has the making of a very good player.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Quick question for you, who would you replace with Morgan Morris in the current squad?

Definitely Basham.

Fair shout, I suppose it'll be a bit more competitive with Plumtree, Faletau and Christ back from injury, it's sad that Rhys Davies is injured again I think he has the making of a very good player.

Yeah, if everyone's fit (big if) then it's pretty hard to even get a squad place in the back row (Morgan, Reffell, Faletau, Wainwright, Plumtree, Tshiunza, Botham, Davies, Mann, Martin, Morris, Morse, Ratti, Tuipulotu, Deaves . . . Daf Jenkins???). Shame about Davies, as you say. He's got real potential to be our starting 6 but he needs time and he's just not getting it.

[Numbers]

I see Tristan Davies has gone to SA for a bit, I think he has good potential, also Ryan Woodman looks like he has all the attributes to make it to the top.

[Sandydragon]

Definitely Basham.

Fair shout, I suppose it'll be a bit more competitive with Plumtree, Faletau and Christ back from injury, it's sad that Rhys Davies is injured again I think he has the making of a very good player.

Yeah, if everyone's fit (big if) then it's pretty hard to even get a squad place in the back row (Morgan, Reffell, Faletau, Wainwright, Plumtree, Tshiunza, Botham, Davies, Mann, Martin, Morris, Morse, Ratti, Tuipulotu, Deaves . . . Daf Jenkins???). Shame about Davies, as you say. He's got real potential to be our starting 6 but he needs time and he's just not getting it.

Back row is a position of depth, although clearly Faletau remains the best option at no8, I don't think even Wainright can fully surpass him yet, and we don't have too many players who fit the mould of an abrasive blindside.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I see Tristan Davies has gone to SA for a bit, I think he has good potential, also Ryan Woodman looks like he has all the attributes to make it to the top.

Yeah, hope Davies gets some game time, same for Woodman at the Dragons - he needs more. I keep thinking of Woodman as a lock because that's where he first appeared at the U20s but he seems to be a 6 now.

That's the thing, just like with 12, we have plenty of options at 6 but no one has stood out other than Wainwright.

[Sandydragon]

I see Tristan Davies has gone to SA for a bit, I think he has good potential, also Ryan Woodman looks like he has all the attributes to make it to the top.

Yeah, hope Davies gets some game time, same for Woodman at the Dragons - he needs more. I keep thinking of Woodman as a lock because that's where he first appeared at the U20s but he seems to be a 6 now.

That's the thing, just like with 12, we have plenty of options at 6 but no one has stood out other than Wainwright.

Agreed. These prospects need game time to see who can progress and who can't.

[Graigwen]

Another fine game for Morris. An inexplicably poor one from Owen Williams, luckily not enough to lose us the game. Class from Giles. Unfortunately Nagy got about 4 minutes of game time. What difference will all this make to the summer squad . . . ? Not much, I expect.

Owen Williams seemed to have great promise when he was younger, but has somewhat failed to live up to that. There is no doubt he can be very good at times, but he is inconsistent. With our current problems at 10 it was the ideal time for him to show he is good international standard, but has failed to do so. He has cemented his role as backup backup if we are desperate.

.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Summer squad:

Forwards (22)

Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 10 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 2 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 30 caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 51 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 12 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
Sam Parry (Ospreys / Gweilch – 7 caps)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 6 caps)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 1 cap)
Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 57 caps)
Harri O’Connor (Scarlets – 1 cap)
Henry Thomas (Castres Olympique – 4 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 11 caps)
Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts – 32 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 17 caps)
Matthew Screech (Dragons / Dreigiau – 1 cap)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 10 caps)
Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 2 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 18 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 48 caps)


Backs (14)

Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – uncapped / heb gap)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 76 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 21 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 12 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 11 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 2 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 36 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 38 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 19 caps)
Keelan Giles (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – uncapped / heb gap)
Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 89 caps)
Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – uncapped / heb gap)
Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)

[Son of Mathonwy]

Given Keelan Giles finally got the nod perhaps I should just be grateful for that. But anyway.

Not sure how Mathias is in and Nicky Smith isn't.
I'm really unhappy about Hill being involved at all. Hope it's just for the first game when we are desperately short of locks and then he can fuck off back to Japan where there's more money.
It would have been nice to see Ratti involved. Tshiunza really hasn't done anything to deserve this call up.
Martin vs Morris. It's all about potential, nothing about form. Martin's got promise but Morris deserves the place right now.
I don't know what Gatland is thinking only bringing 1.5 fly halves in Costelow and Thomas. Lloyd and/or Edwards need to be there.
Watkin has done little to deserve this but potential competitors Keiran Williams and Llewellyn haven't really grabbed the headlines either. I would have taken one of them instead (or in addition).
Great to see Giles on the tour (maybe he'll actually get a cap this time??).
Getting Hathaway in is a no-brainer.
Unless he's going to be available for the 6N I don't see any point in including Sanjay.
Good to see Beetham there. Would have been good to see Nagy but he may not even be eligible.

[Sandydragon]

I understand that there remain question marks over Nagy’s availability.

Agree about Smith and that potential centre partnership is a bit worrying outside Costelow.

Think Hill should have remained in Japan and whilst I hugely respect what Liam has done for us in the past, I hope this is just emergency cover on the back 3.

[francoisfou]

Grenoble fly half, Sam Davies, is getting rave reviews in getting his team to next Sunday’s ProD2 final, so he could well be playing Top14 next season. I wonder if Gatland knows he exists?

[Son of Mathonwy]

Grenoble fly half, Sam Davies, is getting rave reviews in getting his team to next Sunday’s ProD2 final, so he could well be playing Top14 next season. I wonder if Gatland knows he exists?

I don't think he does. But he's ineligible anyway

[Son of Mathonwy]

I understand that there remain question marks over Nagy’s availability.

Agree about Smith and that potential centre partnership is a bit worrying outside Costelow.

Think Hill should have remained in Japan and whilst I hugely respect what Liam has done for us in the past, I hope this is just emergency cover on the back 3.

I hope Ben Thomas gets some time at 10. If he's in the squad, let's see what he can do.

[Graigwen]

I am very glad to see Keelan Giles on the brink (again) of a cap. Injury has set him back very badly and it is only recently he has been getting back to his previous excellent form. In this sort of situation we should give him a chance to show what he can do at international level.

Hill has in the past delivered what Gatland wanted. I have no idea what sort of state he is in after a long holiday in Japan, but doubt he has improved. I assume he is in for the first game and out thereafter unless he proves himself superhuman.

I would certainly prefer Smith to Mathias!

Stand off looks very dodgy.
.

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is funny. I can think of someone else who needs a kick up the arse, Gatland.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-29287015

[Son of Mathonwy]

Bullshit from Gatland about his non-selection of Morgan Morris. So he's to blame for the Ospreys losing to the Bulls and Leinster? Like no one else has lost to those teams. And who was our 8 when we beat the Stormers in SA? Morris. FFS, just say you don't think he's big enough and you never will.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... k-29287026

[Son of Mathonwy]

Genius from Gatland. Our fly halves aren't big enough so he picks the smallest of all, 5ft 8 Costelow. He leaves out the 6ft Lloyd but considers Ben Thomas (also 6ft) to be of the right stature. Even Beetham, who I think is worth looking at, is only 6ft 1.

Shame he showed no interest in the 6ft 3 Rhys Patchell.

What's the thinking behind only picking one recognised 10?

"The thinking behind that is looking at some other options and depth at 10. We are probably looking at a player who can potentially play differently in that position.

"There's some good young tens in Wales at the moment but they are not big. They are quite small so we are looking for a different type of 10 with potentially a different type of stature."

Who is that?

"Potentially someone like Ben Thomas or Jacob Beetham."

So, Jacob Beetham will be considered as a 10?

"Potentially yeah. Potentially.

"He can play 15 and he can play midfield as well. He's played 10 at under age.

"We know Ben's played there and has had a couple of games for Cardiff and went there on the weekend. We were really pleased with his performance."

[Numbers]

Genius from Gatland. Our fly halves aren't big enough so he picks the smallest of all, 5ft 8 Costelow. He leaves out the 6ft Lloyd but considers Ben Thomas (also 6ft) to be of the right stature. Even Beetham, who I think is worth looking at, is only 6ft 1.

Shame he showed no interest in the 6ft 3 Rhys Patchell.

What's the thinking behind only picking one recognised 10?

"The thinking behind that is looking at some other options and depth at 10. We are probably looking at a player who can potentially play differently in that position.

"There's some good young tens in Wales at the moment but they are not big. They are quite small so we are looking for a different type of 10 with potentially a different type of stature."

Who is that?

"Potentially someone like Ben Thomas or Jacob Beetham."

So, Jacob Beetham will be considered as a 10?

"Potentially yeah. Potentially.

"He can play 15 and he can play midfield as well. He's played 10 at under age.

"We know Ben's played there and has had a couple of games for Cardiff and went there on the weekend. We were really pleased with his performance."

Lloyd is 5'10" and 7kg lighter than Ben Thomas if the stats are to be believed.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Genius from Gatland. Our fly halves aren't big enough so he picks the smallest of all, 5ft 8 Costelow. He leaves out the 6ft Lloyd but considers Ben Thomas (also 6ft) to be of the right stature. Even Beetham, who I think is worth looking at, is only 6ft 1.

Shame he showed no interest in the 6ft 3 Rhys Patchell.

What's the thinking behind only picking one recognised 10?

"The thinking behind that is looking at some other options and depth at 10. We are probably looking at a player who can potentially play differently in that position.

"There's some good young tens in Wales at the moment but they are not big. They are quite small so we are looking for a different type of 10 with potentially a different type of stature."

Who is that?

"Potentially someone like Ben Thomas or Jacob Beetham."

So, Jacob Beetham will be considered as a 10?

"Potentially yeah. Potentially.

"He can play 15 and he can play midfield as well. He's played 10 at under age.

"We know Ben's played there and has had a couple of games for Cardiff and went there on the weekend. We were really pleased with his performance."

Lloyd is 5'10" and 7kg lighter than Ben Thomas if the stats are to be believed.

The WRU site has him at 6ft. Other sites have different stats . . . not sure what to believe.

https://www.wru.wales/player/ioan-lloyd/

[Numbers]

Eddie James has been added to the squad I see, I wonder if Llewellyn was under consideration as he would seem to be a bit further along, tho James has played quite a bit for Scarlets this season so that may have gone in his favour.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Eddie James has been added to the squad I see, I wonder if Llewellyn was under consideration as he would seem to be a bit further along, tho James has played quite a bit for Scarlets this season so that may have gone in his favour.

Agreed. And he's bigger than James too, that's usually Gatland's yardstick.

[Numbers]

Eddie James has been added to the squad I see, I wonder if Llewellyn was under consideration as he would seem to be a bit further along, tho James has played quite a bit for Scarlets this season so that may have gone in his favour.

Agreed. And he's bigger than James too, that's usually Gatland's yardstick.

With these giant youngsters we could have the biggest set of backs in World rugby again

[Numbers]

For the SA game I think I'd pick the following:

Gareth thomas
Elliott Dee
Henry Thomas
Ben Carter
Cory Hill
Taine Plumtree
Jac Morgan
Aaron Wainwright
Gareth Davies
Ben Thomas
Rio Dyer
Mason Grady
Owen Watkin
Laim Williams
Cam Winnett

Reps:

Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, Mackenzie Martin, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Jacob Beetham

To be fair most of the places we have hardly any choices, I've picked Grady out of position due to his effectiveness at holding defenders in the narrow channels and as I don't think he is there defensively at 13.